This is the time of year when many companies let employees change their health plans or health plan options. A story in the Moneywise section of today’s Times-Dispatch talks to human resource officers and health plan representatives about trends in health benefits.

Left unsaid is the fact that many Americans don’t have any health insurance. Instead, they rely on the safety net system of public hospitals, charity care, free clinics, etc. to get care. These agencies do good work, but even they realize they are only putting a bandage on the problem.

But that’s another topic. Click here to see the Times-Dispatch’s series of stories on health care reform.

If you have health insurance, you need to know what your plan covers and what it costs you. Many plans have online tools that help you compare plans and options. Here are some Web sites and resources to help you understand your benefits:

•Free download or print copy of Navigating Your Health Benefits for Dummies .

•Virginia Health Information health insurance consumer guide.

•The federal government’s Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality .